The aerospace prime said it is now transferring possession to NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) team, which will perform final preparations and ready it for launch.
Artemis II aims to fly astronauts close to the moon in preparation for the final Artemis III mission that will return humans to the lunar surface. The program, though, has repeatedly faced delays, not least due to a problem with the heat shield on Orion that NASA believes it’s fixed.
“To support the health and safety of the crew, new systems have been added, which include life support – air, water, thermal control, waste management – displays and controls, audio communications, an exercise machine and a fully functional Launch Abort System,” said Lockheed Martin.
“Additionally, the vehicle is outfitted with a subset of docking sensors and an experimental laser communication system, enabling high data-rate communications and paving the way for future missions.
“With the completion of Orion, the EGS team will perform final preparations on the spacecraft, readying it for launch.
“Orion will soon be moved from the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center to various processing facilities.
“This is where EGS will load propellants and other consumables, such as water and oxygen, and install the launch abort system and its protective fairings.
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“Upon completion, it will then be transported to the Vehicle Assembly Building, lifted onto the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and undergo final preparations for launch.”
The Artemis launch vehicle consists of the Orion capsule, created by Lockheed and Airbus, and the main Space Launch System rocket manufactured by a consortium including Boeing and Northrop Grumman.
Artemis II is currently scheduled to launch in April 2026 and will carry NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Their 10-day journey will include flying 4,600 miles beyond the moon and back to Earth.
During the mission, the crew will evaluate the spacecraft’s performance, test its navigation and communication systems, as well as conduct experiments.
They will also perform a rendezvous operation with the Space Launch System’s upper stage, practising docking activities needed for Artemis III, now scheduled for 2027.
Australia is now a key player in the Artemis program, with NASA tasking the Australian Space Agency with creating a rover that will collect lunar regolith, or moon soil, that will eventually be turned into oxygen to support a permanent human base.
“This achievement is a testament to our employees and suppliers who have worked tirelessly to get us to this important milestone,” said Kirk Shireman, Orion program manager at Lockheed Martin.
“The Orion spacecraft completion for Artemis II is a major step forward in our nation’s efforts to develop a long-term lunar presence.
“It’s exciting to think that soon, humans will see the Earth rise over the lunar horizon from our vehicle, while also travelling farther from Earth than ever before.”
Space Connect previously reported how Orion broke records for enduring the hottest and fastest re-entry of any spacecraft in history as part of 2022's uncrewed Artemis I flight.
The vehicle re-entered at a speed of approximately 40,000 km/h before deploying 11 parachutes and splashing down in the ocean off the coast of Baja California, Mexico.
Adam Thorn
Adam is a journalist who has worked for more than 40 prestigious media brands in the UK and Australia. Since 2005, his varied career has included stints as a reporter, copy editor, feature writer and editor for publications as diverse as Fleet Street newspaper The Sunday Times, fashion bible Jones, media and marketing website Mumbrella as well as lifestyle magazines such as GQ, Woman’s Weekly, Men’s Health and Loaded. He joined Momentum Media in early 2020 and currently writes for Australian Aviation and World of Aviation.
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